The area on the West Slope for potential redevelopment includes Park Village and some of the Park Houses (Kulukundis House, Lancaster House, Kent House and York House).

Exploratory work has begun for the potential redevelopment of student residences on the West Slope of campus.

Exploratory work has begun for the potential redevelopment of student residences on the West Slope of campus.

The area for potential redevelopment, which is part of the approved campus masterplan, includes Park Village and some of the Park Houses (Kulukundis House, Lancaster House, Kent House and York House). The new accommodation would not be in place of any general teaching space.

The current buildings date back to the early 1970s and now require either major refurbishment (at significant cost to the University) or redevelopment (in partnership with a developer, who would raise the finance). 

If this redevelopment goes ahead, the University will take advantage of external financing so that investment from our surplus can focus on teaching, research and the student experience.

Simon Neale, Director of Estates and Facilities Management, says: “We want to ensure we continue to develop our housing stock to provide high-quality, modern homes for our students.

“This new accommodation will add to the range of student housing on campus.

“We currently have about 4,500 rooms on campus. Redeveloping the West Slope residences will provide up to 2,000 bedrooms – an increase of about 1,000 extra rooms.

“Following on from the East Slope residential development, which is due for completion by 2021, this further investment in our campus accommodation means that we will continue to alleviate pressure on housing in the city by housing a high proportion of our students on campus.”

Around 20% of Sussex students have home addresses within commuting distance to our campus and do not require University-operated housing.

Students and staff will be able to contribute to plans for the new residences; more information will be shared when we are closer to finalising these plans.